Health Care > definition of ultrasound, MRI,ECG,EMG,NCV,X-RAY?Related Photo
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MRI = magnetic resonance imaging. This macihine uses electromagnets to image areas of the body. Most commonly this type of test would be ordered for joint injuries as it is very good at picking up tendon tears and things like that. It may also be used for the Brain if they are looking for tumors or what-not that way.
ECG - Electrocardiogram. This test is used to see the electrical activity of the Heart. It makes little "waves" across the page. The doctor or Nurse then measures these "waves" and it can tell if your heart is beating normally, too fast, too slow, if there is what's called an arrhythmia (meaning abnormal rhythm), heart block which means one part of the electrical system is blocked and therefore your heart does not pump as well, and it can even tell if there has been or the person is currently having a Heart attack.
EMG - electromyelogram or electromyeography. This test is done most commonly with people who are suspected of having Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. They place little tiny thin pins along several nerves in the arm. These pins are attached to a macine that they control. They stimulate the pins and they check and see how the person's nerves react to the stimulation to determine if there is an abnormality.
X-Ray - this is a simple "picture" done when there is a suspected broken bone or to rule out an obstructed large intestine. X-ray radiation can only pass through soft tissues. It cannot pass through bone, semi-solid (like stool in The Colon), or anything metal (that's Why when you have an x-ray you usually have to remove all clothing from that area because often times our clothing will have little bits of Iron in them). Therefore x-rays are very good at looking for broken bones.
NCV - nerve conduction velocity. This test shows the spped at which your nerves conduct impulses. Nerves are covered by what's called a myelin sheath. This sheath acts to insulate the axon(the thing nerve messages are sent down to move along to the next nerve). The insulation allows the nerve impulse to move faster. An abnormal test means you have a blockage along the nerve, or the nerves are being destroyed.
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